30 FOOT FALL - Divided We Stand CD (Fearless Records) This is a re-release of 30 Foot Fall's first disc and you can sum this up as sounding like those early Gilman St bands especially Operation Ivy, Crimpshrine and Corrupted Morals. Fast paced basic sounding but totally energetic songs that stand out and have you chanting along instantly with great titles like Boogers For Brains, I Hate Punk Rock, Heroin and The Happy Song you just know you're in for some mighty cool punky numbers. There's also a cover of Generation X's Dancing With Myself.

59 Times The Pain – Music For Hardcore Punx EP CDEP (Burning Heart Records) This EP is much more melodic than their previous album and as a result is much more appealing. The title suggests a change in direction to keep sad fuckers like me happy but I guess it’s very tongue-in-cheek. Never the less 59 Times the Pain have impressed me this time with their opening number Can’t Change Me which appeared on their debut and was one of the better tracks, owing more to Minor Threat than to Sick of it All which in my eyes (no pun intended – honest guv ?) is a good move. Plus to make an old age punk happy there’s a cover of the Cockney Rejects Flares & Slippers and Minor Threat’s Small Man, Big Mouth

ACTIVE MINDS – The National Lotta "E" EP 7" (Looney Tunes Records, 69 Wykeham Street, Scarborough, YO12 7SA, UK. £2.35 ppd) Always with something worthwhile to say Active Minds are still churning out their cool DIY 7"s. National Lotta E is the latest and boy what a corker too, Active Minds are always lyrically superb and I reckon they should write a book as you can never say everything in a 2-3 minute song. Yet the music has never been as consistent and has acted as a matter-of-fact side issue. But this EP just rocks from start to finish the opening and title track is excellent and has a real catchy hook, Sick World also has a great driving feel with a lovely Discharge style guitar line. But the lyrics are what really stand out which I afraid is such a rare thing these days also AM always provide a more in-depth explanation of their lyrics alongside which is really cool. Topics covered include, the hypocrisy of the National Lottery and the Media, questioning society’s core values, the munitions industry and people’s absolution from its impact, taking responsibility for the pain and violence in the world rather than living in a bubble, the truth behind the myth of equal opportunity for all, the consumer world created by the Marketing departments of Giant Corporates, Peer Pressure (in this case Alcohol) and finally the growing strength of fascism and Nazism today. Excellent stuff just buy it.

AGNOSTIC FRONT - Something's Gotta Give CD (Epitaph Records) Well another old band returns to wipe off the cobwebs and get out their walking sticks. Kabula and the boys return as the mighty beast and legend of the New York Hardcore scene - Agnostic Front. In the days of yesteryear these guys were the bees knees and what's more they sound better today than they did back then and Something's Gotta Give is a pure driving hardcore punk with a hint of Oi affair that really shows the oldies can do it still. The music is fine melodic slash chord punk overlaid with catchy chanting choruses. Boy is this aggressive stuff but then AF always had a reputation! This album is an awesome selection of new material from a great old band, that are just as fresh today as they were back in 1983.

ALL - Mass Nerder CD (Epitaph Records) I kind of got a little disillusioned with the last couple of ALL releases. I always kind found myself harking back to the top Allroy’s Revenge album that was until Mass Nerder arrived in the mail sack. Being the first release on Epitaph for the caffeine heads I wasn’t expecting a great deal but how wrong I was. This album is just excellent from the opening bars of World’s on Heroin this album just hurtles head long into orbit around the planet of cool. It has all the fine traits that have made ALL so cool - fast and furious controlled melodic ragers like Life On The Road contrasted against the awesome pop-esque ballads such as Until I Say So all with that slightly off-kilter guitar style that makes ALL so unique. This is so well played and has an instant addictive nature that makes it one of the finest albums I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing this time around. ALL …yes ALL!

APOCALYPSE BABYS – Apocalypse Now EP 7" (New LIfe Shark Records, £2.50 from 23 Monsal Drive, Sth Normanton, Alfreton, DE55 2BG, UK) I have become a firm fan of the Babys not only because of their fine musical output but also their dogged determination to succeed. This German release sees some classic Baby’s tracks like Cops & Robbers, That’s Entertainment and Teenage Depression Blues. These guys rule and if you haven’t checked out this cool UK band yet then wake up and smell the coffee and send off for this EP and their other stuff. I look forward to their new album.

AVAIL - Over The James CD (Lookout Records) The mighty Avail return with this awesome album Over The James. Avail have this knack of writing great tunes that always hold this element of something a little different yet retain a punk background soundtrack, I guess their material seems real. The 12 tracks on this album are all full of raw unfettered power that holds your attention and they kind of remind me of a mixture of the Flower Leperds and the A-Sexuals. This is a great album that feels like it's been lived in!

BAR FEEDERS - Scotto El Blotto CD (Dill Records) Intense frenzied punk rock that has the feel of Raw Power and CCM without the speed. Songs about getting pissed for people getting pissed and the 16 tracks here are full of intoxicated attitude that will make you smile in a drunken grimace and puke your guts up after. Fine stuff that you just neeeed, maaaan!

BLOODY VICE - 13 Minutes 35 Seconds DEMO MC ($5 from PO Box 2036, Woden, ACT, 2606, Australia) Hailing from the land of Wallabys, the Bush and Rolf Harris, Bloody Vice are an intense experimental metal edged hardcore outfit that remind me a lot of Unseen Terror, Godflesh and the like. This 7 track demo is a miss-mash of film clips, guttural vocals, high speed drumming and metal riffin' guitars. This stuff I use to lap up in the late eighties, not so much now, but Bloody Vice are indeed a very good band within their genre and I do like their experimentation.

BODYJAR – No Touch Red CD (Burning Heart Records) In my eyes these Oz guys can do no wrong , Body Jar just deliver the fuckin’ goods and blow me away every time I listen to them. What’s more is they are really developing their own sound now, funnily enough they are losing that Descendents feel for a more aggressive stylee and this album shows that to maximum effect and guess what ? this album is produced by Big Bill Stevenson and Stephen Egerton. 12 intense melodic speed fuelled tracks of pure punk rock adrenaline and creative driving music with brilliant melodic vocals and backing harmonies. I don’t feel the need to rant about this release and tell you what it sounds like because it is so good you need to possess it right ?! Own or die, what more of a recommendation do you need for christ’s sake ?!

BROCCOLI/PINTO – Split EP CDEP (Speedowax Records, 6-8 new Street, Dudley, DY1 1LP, UK £2.50) Limited to 600 copies and on "condom pink" wax this Speedowax release sees two top ditties from the green vegetable Broccoli which are nice enough, nothing ballistic but not unappealing the second number Defence has a nice sinister feel kind of like modern day Farside. The flip sees the cod folk of Pinto who deliver two ragin’ hardcore songs from their debut Doughty Road LP great tracks and very catchy the album should be a blinder.

CHINA DRUM - Stop It All Adding Up CDEP (Mantra Records) Taken from the Drum’s Self Made Maniac album this slow melodic number has been remixed which in fact loses the drive of the album version. You also get three good quality live tracks of previously released tracks. I have always liked the Drum but this doesn’t really inspire due to the lack of any new material.

CONSUMED – Breakfast At Pappa’s CD (Fat Wreck Chords) Another UK band make it into the Fat stable, Nottingham’s Consumed deliver 6 very fine tracks of succulent choice punk rock that brings to my mind a Notts band’s that have gone before in the shape of Kings Of Oblivion - driving guitar lines and aggressive yet melodic vocals. It also reminds me of The Depraved (or Visions of Change as they became) and has a predominately UK sound about it from around 1986. I Love this and look forward to hearing some more.

THE DESCTRUCTOS – Slappin’ Ham Demo MC (Flat 2R, 29 Crathie Drive, Partick, Glasgow, G11 7XE, Scotland) Buzzsaw 3 chord methodology guitar, flowing vocal harmonies all with a US pop humour tinge. The Destructos certainly slap that ham with style and this demo is a corker, at times they sound a little like Snuff and even cover I Can See Clearly (as Snuff did) but what surpasses that is their rendition of that comedy classic "Only Fools and Horses" theme which is so cool. Great name, great sound, top band so get their 7" which should be out by now. "Love it my son!"

DISCOUNT – Half Fiction CD (Kat Records, PO Box 460692, Escondido, CA 92046, USA) I simply love Discount they churn out some really cool sounds I first heard them on the Punk Bites comp. Lovely punk riffage, excellent vocals from Alison, a simple picking melodic guitar style, plus a complimentary rhythm section this just drives me wild. From the opening title track through the driving Avengers-like On The Counter and Am I Missing Something are modern day classics. Great Album, catch them when they come over to the UK later this year.

DOUG – What Do You Call A Man With A Shovel In His Head ? Demo MC (7 Holly Grove, Lisvane, Cardiff, Wales, CF4 5UJ, UK) This tape looks the business – colour cover with a nifty cartoon and a 4 letter word… DOUG. Strange name for a band and to be honest a little bit shit especially with none of the members actually being called Doug. Anyway what’s in a name eh? This tapes is absolutely fantastic, these 5 kids from Cardiff deliver 10 pacy melodious ditties of high quality punkage. Think early Lagwagon, later day Strung Out, Samiam and you’ll have a fair idea of the picture these guys paint only Doug use a different brush and palette. They are very inventive and really make best use out of the second guitarist to offset their excellent melee of sound. These guys are going to be big and this tape shows the merit of class musicianship and fine song writing. This is their second tape apparently, even though this is the first time I’ve heard them. There’s also a Jawbreaker cover and one of the Cheers theme. Excellent recording quality to boot which is very polished and sharp. Fantastic stuff so keep your eyes peeled for Doug.

GAS HUFFER - Just Beautiful Music CD (Epitaph Records) Those garage punk 'n' roll exponents Gas Huffer return with their latest gutsy album Just Beautiful Music. With that Lazy Cowgirls feel the Huffer deliver a mind blowing 16 tracks of punkabilly that will have you stompin' around your habitat for the duration of this 40 minute CD. Most tracks are up beat stormers like the awesome Rotten Egg, Hacked and Old Man Winter while the Huffer mellow out in the form of tracks like Over The Side. Fine tuneage that will rock your socks - beautiful.

GROOP DOGDRILL – Jackie O CDEP (Mantra Records) Well ol’ Jack Kennedy and Onassis would be turning in their respective graves as those rockabilly rollers Groop Dogdrill pay homage to America’s First Lady and Mourning Widow (on more than one occasion) Jackie Onassis – the kiss of death! The title track is awesome and rips along with a great hook. There are also three other tracks on this fine EP notably is New York Sushi which shows the comparisons to Mudhoney off to a tea and the drug-hazy Speedball with Rod Stewart vocals - Fine release.

GROOP DOGDRILL – Half Nelson CD (Mantra Records) The full length album is here at last from those fine rockin’ grunge-in rollers, Groop Dogdrill. This album is truly fine with a number of their already popular anthems gracing this disc Oily Rag, Lovely Skin, and Jackie O. I love their real dirty sound and those of Sub Pop and Mudhoney sounds really ring in your ears with this album. Great stuff and a lovely cover of a wrestling bout which brings back memories of Dickie Davis and Saturday afternoons watching the likes of Big Daddy (RIP), Giant Haystacks (RIP), Mick McManus, Jim Breaks and Kendo Nagasaki non of your WWF shit.

HORACE PINKER – Horace Goes Skiing EP 7" (Popkid Records, 16 Raleigh Ln, Wayne, NJ 07470, USA. $4) The UK’s Horace Pinker join the Popkid fold with this cool melodic disc dripping with blue wax and sporting 4 glorious tracks to make you singalong to pop tunes and melt into those punk rock guitars. There’s also a cover of Boyzone’s Father and Son which is quite funny. Does anyone remember the "Horace Goes…" computer games, oh childhood memories. Popkid also have a whole bunch of other cool releases check out their web site at www.popkid.com

THE HUMPERS – Euphoria, Confusion, Anger and Remorse CD (Epitaph Records) More punk rock and fucking roll from Long Beach’s The Humpers who return with a cracking album of all blazing, all pumping and grinding ass-kicking tuneage. The whole disc rocks from start to finish and delivers the goods with pace and driving attitude – they can hump me anytime!

I AGAINST I – Time CDEP (Epitaph Records) This two track disc is taken from their Head Cleaner album, the title track is excellent with a great hook and harmonious vocals that reminds me of early Green Day material. Mr Loverman is a lot more pacy and once again has those Green Day overtones which makes this track as catchy as hell. A Bad Brains title with Green Day sounds… hmmm cool!

INTENSITY – Wash Off The Lies CD (Bad Taste Records) Well this is OK but a little old hat these days and we really have heard it all before – Gorilla Biscuits, No For An Answer, YOT, Bold, Upfront, Insted, Sick of It All, CIV, Quicksand, etc.. etc.. need I go on. This sounds just like all the rest and the lyrics like the music is so bloody generic of its genre. The Life’s Blood cover is pretty good though. If you like SE then this is your bag of glue frankly I’m a little bored by this stuff these days it was very energetic and fresh about 10 years ago!

IN THE SHIT – Can’t Take Anymore EP 7" (ITS Records, 35 Bryntaf, Aberfan, Methyr Tydfil, CF48 4PN, Wales, UK) Sent in by our "Man in Wales" Nigel Mullen - cheers mate. In The Shit are Kip-Xool’s new band from the bowels of Wales and boy do these guys play hard. Intense hardcore that reminds me so much of those loveable harvesting HCers Ripcord. Great artwork from Welly (4 Letter Word) as always and the EP comes with a rather gross souvenir reminiscent of Crass, a stained piece of ultra shiny bog paper – Forces or Civil Service Issue. In The Shit by name and nature are a mighty force and I look forward to hearing more and being up to my ears in it!!!

KING PRAWN - Fried In London CD (Words of Warning Communications) Starting off with a Django Rhiendhart into this disc cranks into the short sharp burst that is The Sound of We before heading into their last single Not Your Punk with its Beastie Boys meets Martha and The Muffins sounds. This is a great album which combines some of the finest arrangements around with a feel of the Dead Kennedys, Devo, Beasties, Madness, Blaggers and other such fine names. Especially cool numbers include Increase the Pressure, Felled, Survive, Last Request and the excellent reggae dub of Racist Copper and Rewards and Prizes. Great album, fine band, fresh and alive sounds on the foundations of some of the finest band's ever.

KODIAK – Emotional Rail 7"(One Louder Records) These are new to me and on first listens I could have sworn that this was REM and to be fair the title track does have a very REM feel. Yet this band who come to you direct from glorious Newcastle would make you think otherwise. Kodiak are a deeply talented band and this release shows this to be true, as the flip alters the REM likeness in an instant where Kodiak headbutt Sonic Youth, Green River and later day Fugazi with Little Star and Burning Bridges. Excellent stuff, I look forward to their next platter.

KODIAK – Upsetter 7"(One Louder Records) Yes, I do like this. Following on from Emotional Rail Kodiak deliver a very cool Fugazi sounding EP which showed promise on the B-side of their last effort. The title track is an absolute corker full of melodic quirkiness and style plus great vocals from these Geordie protagonists. Both the title track and the flip Lover have a driving emotion to them that just draws you in like a centripetal force. Fantastic stuff which breaks the usual bullshit-held belief that only great sounds come from London and the States.

LAST DAYS OF APRIL – The Wedding EP CDEP (Bad Taste Records) Being born in April I feel a certain affinity to this release and I’m just glad that it’s also pretty cool too. The essence of this band is in its harmony and songwriting, this is not punk rock in the raw sense as this has a more subtle feel on the fringes. It has a home within punk but also has a foot outside the door that leads to possible mainstream popularity. Happily mixing the sounds of country, emo and grunge into a bag of 4 top tunes, it comes across as a mix of Hootie & The Blowfish meets Farside and REM meets Starmarket – weird huh ? I really liked this though because it is different and that’s something unique (I mean these guys use sidestick drum rhythms now where do you see that in punk bands) in a continuous trail of band wagon bands and labels doing the rounds presently. There’s heaps of aggressive harmony, fine picked guitar and yet retaining a punch there around the corner when you take your eye of the ball. I look forward to hearing more from this Swedish outfit.

LIBERTY 37 – No Beauty CDEP (Org Records) The opening bass line could come straight out of Fugazi’s back catalogue somewhere around Margin Walker. In fact the track No Beauty has a very Fugazi feel indeed probably with more poppier vocals which adds a cool dimension to it. Badger’s Song is a little heavier and slower but still in that Fugazi mould but with vocals ala Faith No More not bad but a little long winded at 6 minutes in length. Francie sounds like later day U2 and Take It Like A Man brings up the rear with an average rock meets hardcore affair. The first track is awesome while the other 3 are OK but nothing special.

MERCYLESS – Demo MC (Kempe David, 46 Rue Lavoisier, 68100 Mulhouse, France) France’s answer to Chugga-Chugga … Hey! This is Slayer or Sepultura or Godflesh ? Well in fact I really enjoyed this, there’s some nice touches on here which breaks up the monotony of that chugga-chugga stuff before I lost interest. Kinda similar to the kind of changes Faith No More put in their stuff. The 3 tracks on here also show the signs of Bauhaus and provide a very atmospheric feel similar to the way Psycore do with their metal hybrid of sounds. Excellent recording and production too.

MOGUL – Roll With It/Better Than Sex CDEP (Org Records) This is part of Org’s monthly CDEP series. Mogul are cool the Oasis cover is great – the arrangement is a cross between Crass (Merry Crassmas 7") and Shampoo. It’s the awesome sounding Casio Keyboard and guitar sound that makes Mogul so cool and cheesy at the same time, the second track is like Half Man Half Biscuits meet Iggy Pop. The third & forth tracks follow in the same vein. This disc has a fine ability to sound funny without trying, I guess it’s the space age Casio but Mogul have a unique geeky-ness and this disc delivers that soundtrack for a union of uncool teens.

MUKI – Fullscope CDEP (Mantra Records) 4 tracks of instrumental laid back electronic funky jazz. Very nice and relaxing and makes nice background music that would fit well behind a whole heap of 70s Sci-Fi Futureworld type movies.

NO THINK – Thinking Animals… LP (Vinyl Japan) No Think are the epitome of the Dis genre of bands and Japan has more than its fair share, unfortunately. 7 tracks of mediocre unoriginal plagiarised material that is so old hat now. To be honest stick with the bands that were good at this sort of thing like Doom. No Think require the same amount of thought as their name.

PENTHOUSE - Remix CDEP (Beggars Banquet Records) This is very weird blues-cum-avant garde punk noise concoction that could send even the most sane in society around the bend. 4 tracks of strange sounding music that could be Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion one minute then some Hawaiian beach scene the next and finally a Amp Rep kind of band all rolled into one cacophony of ditties. More film sound tracks are abound on here for some eighties art films.

PIE TASTERS - Out All NightCDEP (Hell Cat Recordsà Epitaph) The scrummy Pie Tasters are hotter than hot sauce and their driving R&B-soul-ska-punk assault is like mainlining pure adrenaline. 4 cuts of sheer class with the title track taken from their cool album Willis - the CD is even all Hi-Tech with the video on the disc if you run it through a PC or Mac. There’s also a really cool version of the Stones’ Under My Thumb so tuck into some great tasting, finger licking pie. Only sad we missed them live.

PSYCORE – Full Bloodied FreakCDEP (V2 Records) Psycore deliver a mighty sound that oozes creativity and is extremely intense. They sound like a cross between the industrial sounds of Big Black, the metal sounds of Faith No More and at times end up sounding so much like Skin Yard it is unbelievable. The title track is spot on and could have been written for some film soundtrack. 2002 is really where the Skin Yard comparison comes into its own and the final track is merely a slower remix of the title track. I really like the feel of Psycore it’s very art noveau reminding me of Edvard Munch’s art and they are the dog’s bollocks.

RANCID – Life Won’t Wait CD (Epitaph Records) Well Rancid chalk up another album and this time really take the opportunity to explore their influences and tastes. This is what a band in their position should be doing – trying something different. I really like this there’s some great ska, reggae and soul stuff which is fucked up in Rancid’s own inimitable style. What’s more Rancid get the value for money award for giving a fucking massive track list of 22 tracks, totalling 64 mins for your cash. Sell outs ? Well hardly when they’re delivering more quality tracks than your average DIY outfit so shut the fuck up and stop moaning. This album will rip your socks off, great sounds, great recording and catchy as fuck punk-ska-reggae-calypso-reggae and the rest numbers that will get you on your feet and dance. What makes Rancid so good is their pace, passion and attitude and this still holds true in their music and lyrics and Life Won’t Wait is a fuckin’ classic.

RIGHT DIRECTION - To Right The Wrong CD (Kingfisher Recordsà PHD) The Right Direction is a hot potch collection of new, old and past members of many Euro metal and HC outfits, in fact too many to mention but basically these guys play a mixture of sounds. At times they sound really NYHC and then they have a UK punk sound and then they're all out metalcore - kind of weird really. As a result some tracks are really cool and some are not so good but overall a pretty decent album with something for everyone.

SCARPER – Not As Punk As You EP 7" (Resolve Records) Scarper just get better and better, this is their first full length EP after their fine debut split with the ‘Joe boys. Starting with the mighty ditty About Nothing this EP drives along with a fine production and scoops of coffee and mainlined adrenaline. These manic kids play a dry roast blend of happy-go-punky tootin’ tunes that will rock anyone with an ounce of rhythm in their decrepit bones. Nosedive is a supreme track which builds beautifully into a cracking chorus, I never noticed just how much Mac’s vocals sound like Wiz (MC4). Anyway Down The Hatch tops off this disc which shows Scarper at their best as a band who may not be as punk as you but who do their own thing. Which counts more in my book, than generic preconceptions. So… I’m on you side… and so should you be just buy it right!

THE SEAL KLUBB ORKESTRA – Mental & Dangerous CDS (DHMG, 16 Frinton Road, London, E6 3HA, UK) Well it says this is the unofficial Scottish World Cup supporters anthem – hmmm well it isn’t any worse than any other footie team’s attempt but likewise it isn’t any better. With a title track called Mental & Dangerous you wouldn’t think it was about soccer violence would you ? Well musically it sounds like Mr Blobby on acid with a drum machine and a fuzzy wang bar guitar – spare me please! The other track Ladykillers is an uninspiring instrumental. In a nutshell this is Shit with a capital ‘S’ - if you have an once of sanity steer clear.

SERVOTRON - Entertainment Program For Humans (Second Variety) CD (One Louder Recordsà Overground) Listening to this CD is like being merged into a film edit of Breaking Glass and Space 1999. But then the Servotron does include members of Man or Astrosman and the first thing that you notice here is a lacking element in music today that avant garde feel to many bands, that bit of mystery if you like. Servotron have that and the music is pretty wicked too, take a Devo motherboard add a few chips of Wire and some RAM of the B52s and an artificial intelligence unit of Metal Mickey and you have the rather spaceage sounding Servotron. Welcome to the Cyborg Generation.

SKETTY – Demo MC (C/O 294 Durham Rd, Stevenage, Herts, S91 4JF, UK) This 3 tracker hails from Stevenage and a quartet who’ve been together less than 18 months. I admit to finding it difficult to pigeon hole them but they possess the sinister edge of Joy Division, the avant garde guitar stylee of Super Chunk and an overall Low-Fi punk tunage that is really catchy. The third track Bob’s Song starts off like a Buzzcocks number (hey, plenty of Manchester links!!) before jumping into a guitar slasher with vocals akin to the Velvet Underground. Great tape and it was recorded at the famous Ealing Film studios, the home of all those fine comedies from years ago.

SIX BY SEVEN – Candlelight CDEP(Mantra Recordings) Very similar packaging to their previous release and very dull at that. The title track is pretty uninspiring and sounds a little like U2. The second number Young Man’s Stride starts off a little better and has a bit more about itself with some nice brass. The final track is a remix by the Flaming Lips of the title track which is a little more interesting but not much. Pretty bland release all in all.

SIX BY SEVEN – The Things we MakeCD (Mantra Recordings) More bland packaging accompanies Six By Seven's album, well at least they're consistent! The opening track is a real drag and never gets going in fact the whole album is a little like that really I mean some songs are 7 minutes long!!! This is hippy music gone wrong - turn on, tune in, drop out aka boring unless your so stoned you just don't care. The album also features the two previous singles Candlelight and 88-92-96 which actually stand out as the best tracks with the exception of For You which is a decent track in an Echo & The Bunnymen kind of way. The Things We Make… are shit!

SNUFF – Tweet Tweet My Lovely CD (Fat Wreck Chords (US & Euro) Deceptive Records (UK) Well I have to say I’m a firm believer that Snuff were at their finest with Snuffsaid… LP, Not Listening EP and all those early classic anthems of cockney bare-faced cheek and simply "blinding" live performances. Their new album Tweet Tweet My Lovely doesn’t surpass those early classics but never the less is still a mighty fine album that I thoroughly enjoyed. Most of tracks on here are great sing along Snuff ditties that are pleasant and jolly, I love the use of trumpets and Hammond orgs which fills their sound out beautifully. At times they sound very Jam-like and at others very soulful. Arsehole is sheer Snuff class as those Landaners chant out a real party anthem that could be on a Black Lace Party Album – now that would be fucking cool "…we’re all arseholes, we’re all fuckin’ wankers…". That’s pure class, Snuff Said…

SOUNDSCAPE 37 - Thrist DEMO MC (£1.50 20 Rose Valley, Threemilestone, Truro, Cornwall, TR3 6BH, UK) Coming from sunny Truro, Soundscape 37 deliver socio-politico industrial dance with a real sinister edge. The music really compliments the words and samples. Great lyrical content about secret government research and scientific experiments upon humans. Fine stuff.

STRUNG OUT – Twisted By Design CD (Fat Wreck Chords) Some bands are good, some bands are crap and some never quite achieve their potential in the studio. Well Strung Out have certainly fallen into the later category in the past but with out doubt Twisted By Design has to be one of the finest releases in this reviewer’s bag of goodies this time around. Strung Out reach out here and meet their potential and deliver a full impact album of pure class tuneage that has melody seeping out of its sores. From the opening lead guitar riff this album cranks into some of the finest melodic hardcore tunes around which are accompanied with fine vocals. The difference has been given by a slight leaning towards a pop-edged songwriting that certainly adds some style to the band’s past efforts and has them sounding a little like early Face To Face (on Paperwalls). There’s an instant impact with this album and along with all the melody there are a couple of tracks that reminded me of Therapy? Above all this is melodic punk at its best and I’m humming these ditties all the time, cool!

SUBMARINE - DEMO MC (3 Intax Mews, Welhome Road, Grimsby, DN32 9NB,UK) A couple of guys I know from Grimsby have got together this awesome band called Submarine and they've some tracks due out on a comp CD by the National Band Register. This is a total pop explosion of mid tempo creative sounds that make up the awesome ship that is the Submarine. The 8 tracks on here remind me of a hybrid spawn of the best elements of the Manic Street Preachers, Bluetones and Revolver-era Beatles. The recording is excellent as are the vocals with their dream-like harmonies and are backed with very strong perfect pop arrangements and a fluid guitar style. I have a feeling from the quality of this material and the knowledge of the guys involved that Submarine are going to hit the big time in a main stream capacity very soon. Watch this space…..

SWINGIN’ UTTERS – Five Lessons Learned CD (Fat Wreck Chords) The latest offering from these 70s style punk rock swingers is a sheer delight. Their sound has altered slightly and has a vocal feel of Social Distortion like the excellent track The Stooge or Tell Me Lies. Yet this also shows some affinity to the Pogues in places (A Place of Distinction). I love this album which is a mixture of UK and US influenced 70s punk sounds with all the classic hooks of the Undertones, Buzzcocks, Clash, Avengers, Adverts, etc. 15 classic tracks and Five Lessons Learned is top in our books.

THIRD LUNG – New York DemoMC (Vegas Recordings, PO Box 45, Mirfield, WF4 9YQ, UK) This is not as in your face as their last release but the softened edge gives Third Lung another dimension. The opening instrumentals are excellent andthese guys really create an atmosphere with their sound. The tracks with lyrics bring to mind a heavy fusion between the Swell Maps, Big Black and Ministry –very industrial and very dark but not depressing at all.

TRAVIS CUT – Seventh Inning Stretch LP (SD Records, PO Box 295, Southampton, SO17 1LW, UK) Well, well, well the TC boys are certainly going up in the world… recorded at the famous Inner Ear Studios in DC, produced by Mr Dave Smalley – Punk rock stardom or what ?! Seventh Inning Stretch is a great album of melodic pop based punk that the TC boys have been cranking out just recently. The album features a wealth of toe-tapping ditties that has the "Are you talkin’ to me?" guys at their very best especially with tracks like Asmuchas and that classic No Good With Words. Top album and top UK outfit that deserve your support.

TRAVIS CUT/THE MARSHES – Split EP 7" (Speedowax Records) 4 cool cuts of choice sounds all on a Plasmatics style splatter platter wax. This releases sees 2 tracks each from the UK’s top melodic punk bods Travis Cut and yankee doodle’s The Marshes who are sheer class and feature Colin Sears. The whole EP was especially for their joint tour of the UK in May this year. Great tracks by both bands including a class Psychedelic Furs cover Into You Like A Train. Top hole.

THE VANDALS – Hitler Bad, Vandals Good CD (Nitro Records) The Vandals are good, good, GOOD!!! These guys just keep on rocking and this album is a joyful collection of fine tunes, humorous lyrics and snotty attitude. Tracks like My Girlfriend’s Dead, Too Much Drama, People That Are Going To Hell, etc, etc are sheer brilliance also thrown in for coolness are a cover of Pennywise’s Come out Fighting and the hilarious So Long, Farewell from the smash hit movie and family favourite – The Sound of Music. Hilter Bad, Vandals Good – damn fucking right!

VARIOUS - Area 51 2xCD (Victory Records) This is a humongous compilation album - a double CDs worth of hardcore and metal hardcore near on 150mins of sounds. This comprehensive album includes tracks from: Ajuuca, Deviate, NRSV, Surface, Earth Crisis, Next Step Up, Stimata, Fahrenheit 451, Compression, transpunk, Celestial Season, Sifter, Despair, Integrity, Miozan, 59 Times The Pain, Killrays, Beatsteaks, Under The Church, Viod Section, CFA, Harvest, Fury of Five, By The Grace of God, Eightball, Raised Fist, Punishable Act, Edgewise, 25 Ta Life, Elison, Strife, 187, 3^rd Statement, Spudmonsters, Misconduct, Breach, Will Haven, JJ Dogs, Disembodied, Down But Not Out, Snapcase, Pridebowl, Up front, Ignite, Warzone and many more. This album is as large as the mystery surrounding Area 51!

VARIOUS – Damaged Goods Cheap CD Sampler Thingy CD (Damaged Goods) A 30 track punk-indie-lo fi cornucopia from the fine Damaged Goods folks. This compilation shows off many of the bands the label has released over the years including: Helen Love, Thee Headcoates, J Church, Manic Street Preachers, Television Personalities, Twister, Toast, Dustball, Wat Tyler, reverse, Period pains, Armitage Shanks, Dweeb to name but a few. This is a cheap price and a great introduction to a fine label that has sprouted a batch of famous and cool bands.

VARIOUS - Punk Bites 2 CD (Fearless Records) A cool compilation of great US bands that hits the punk, pop-punk and hardcore genres in one go. Bands on here include Bickley, NOFX, Pulley, 30ft Fall, Pennywise, Bigwig, Discount (who are outstanding), Gob, MXPX, Strung Out, The Drapes, Straight Faced, Backside, Whitekaps, Whippersnapper, Homegrown, 98 Mute, Dynamite Boy, Quincy Punx, Apocalypse Hoboken, Chuck, Sam The Butcher, the Crowd, Krhissy, Horace Pinker, Ballgagger, Boredom and The Outside. Excellent sampler and there's some really cool bands on here that you may not of heard but nearly every track is a winner so tuck into your fave pizza and chomp on the sounds of Punk Bites 2.

VARIOUS – SKA – American Style CD (Jump Up Recordsà Cargo Records) Well this is a 19 track comp of all things US and Ska, it’s pretty good stuff too. I think Ska has that toe tappin’ feel but none of these bands necessarily stand out as they are all a much-of-the-same-ness, that’s not to say that they are crap but merely similar and very competent at their craft. There’s no doubt that every man and his dog are doing ska in their sets but I do feel that the bunch on here are a little more genuine than most as all the bands here have a good sound and there’s some nice brass stuff in there too. Bands on here include: Telegraph, Parkakings, Eclectics, Hot Stove Jimmy, Suspect Bill, Exceptions, Deals Gone Bad, Adjusters, Gangster Fun, Skapone and Rhymemaster. If you like all things ska then you’ll love this, it’s somewhere between Skankin’ Pickle and The Specials.

VARIOUS - What is Crust, What Is Melo-core, Be Different Hardcore CD (Disciplineà Vinyl Japan) Woah, Japanese Hardcore at it's finest in a 26 track sampler of Japan's craziest exports. Featuring bands with that very UK Brit-core and Discharge sounding material this CD features: Love Storm, Barricade, Frigora, Forgot'n Flower, Disclose, The Addicition, COSA, Defiance, Kamui, Sunset Stompeet, Argue Damnation, Carnage, Max Head Room and Bug State. This is great stuff even if it is a little unoriginal and you can pick out the stolen riffs from your favourite Discharge, Subhumans, Varukers and ENT songs.

VISION – The Kids Still Have A lot To Say CD (Grilled Cheese Recordsà Cargo Records) Shit hot East Coast US Hardcore from Vision who play it hard, fast and with more energy than you can shake a stick at. Very much akin to Gorilla Biscuits meets Youth Brigade by way of NOFX, Bad Religion and Instead. With a barrage of bands like that you know that this album is going to kick some serious ass. There’s some very infectious guitar hooks, chant along choruses and driving wandering bass lines plus a solid powerful back beat that keep this little disc playing. So get some Vision, man!

WHISTLER – Rare American Shoes CDEP (Wiija Records) Sounding a wee bit Australian, Whistler are a folky sort of outfit with a frontwoman whose vocals are so delightful and sweet. Kinda of reminds me of Suzanne Vega except the vocals are very different but it’s that kind of subtle music which can hide a real disturbing melancholic taste within the lyrics. 3 fine tracks to sit by the fire and relax to.

THE WITCHDOKTORS – Neck Tattoo CDEP (One Louder Records) Woah, this is really cool and certainly out there on its own. The Witchdokters sound like a rockabilly-garage-surf hybrid between The Cardiacs and the Lazy Cowgirls. 4 top tracks to spark up your needle to and start making you mark with the excellent Witchdoktors. Get you neck tattoo and wear it with pride!

THE WOGGLES – Wailin’ With The Woggles CD (One Louder Recordsà Overground) This just doesn’t light my fire, it needs a little more pace to stop it from dragging on too long. It reminds me of a bad sounding 999 meets a slice of early Kinks rolled into a late 60s rockabilly garage bag of tools in need of honing. I usually love this kind of stuff but this is just plain dull. The only redeeming track is the Germs sounding Do Me Wrong.

ZEKE - Kicked In The Teeth CD (Epitaph Records) With Karl Alverez championing their cause in nearly every Descendents interview, Zeke come with a high recommendation. But this isn't pop-punk or harmony heaven this is all out fast and furious punk with twinges of metal that reminds me heaps of Poison Idea with a bitter twist of Motorhead in there for some real power and a seasoning of GBH on top for good measure. Zeke are one hell of a noise attack that make you sit up and listen and the title track rips like mad and has a real Ace of Spades feel to it, in fact the more I listen to this the more I think that Zeke are the new Motorhead. This album has 17 rip-roaring classics like Rodney, Dogfight, Fuck All Night, Lawson and Mert and this will certainly have the pit full on stage divers at their gigs. Zeke rock hard and play fast and suffer no fools along the way – pure class!